Recorded in 1966, this strange album displays Bowie's seeds of genius. The dark subject matter is presented in a type of music hall feel that is unconventional even now, three decades later. The wide variety of themes are often set to noteworthy tunes, whilst the inclusion of an early version of Space Oddity and the charming song The Laughing Gnome make the album a must for Bowie completists. Tracks like Maid Of Bond Street, London Boys and Join The Gang deal with Bowie's youth in swinging London, whilst She's Got My Medals examines gender roles. The ominous We Are Hungry Men depicts a totalitarian nightmare where population control is carried out by cannibalism, amongst other things. Then there's Please Mr Gravedigger, about infanticide, and Little Bombardier, about child abuse. Bowie also explores the innocence of childhood in songs like This Is A Happy Land, Uncle Arthur and Come And Buy My Toys. Let Me Sleep Beside You and When Live My Dream are songs of yearning, quiet moving and memorable. In a way, Bowie returned to this style of song on 1973's futuristic cabaret Aladdinsane, albeit with more contemporary instruments and arrangements. That was also the year in which the re-released Laughing Gnome made the top ten in the UK. The music is remarkable and unusual but could find no audience in the psychedelic late sixties when rock legends were made. Those Bowie fans who have assimilated all his transformations down the years might find this an interesting collection, but it often still sounds weird. How great that Bowie persevered to make some of the most compelling music of the 1970s and 1980s. The roots of his genius are certainly evident here.

Don't let the hot first two singles "Lose My Breath" and "Soldier" fool you, Destiny Fulfilled has nothing else to offer. There are a few alright jams but nothing like their previous efforts, The Writings On The Wall and Survivor. I like that the group is trying new things and actually not bashing men on every song on this CD, but a lot of the songs turned out pretty boring.

The hooks are bland and the girls have nothing to do but harmonize (which they do better than any girl group out there). "Girl" has good production, but is nothing special. The only other strong cut on this disc is "Through With Love."

Reccommended if you're a Destiny's Child fan, but look elsewhere if not.

Who expected this new album from Celine to be her best yet, and yet it somehow is. Sure there are the usual clunkers (Forget Me Not, I Know What Love Is), but they don't come until 11 songs into the cd. I could live without the underwelming Have You Ever Been In Love, but for the most part, this is Celine at her most upbeat and contagious. Faith and One Heart could be big hits, with the proper subtle remix. And Stand By Your Side is her best mid-tempo song since Because You Loved Me. Coulda Woulda Shoulda sounds like something the Backstreet Boys passed on, but it works. The upbeat tone of the album is infectious and the album rivals her other great cd, Falling Into You. It deserves to be a smash! Now if she could just do something with that terrible haircut she's been sporting lately and those raccoon eyes! And while she is at it, maybe she could hire some new people to help select the next single...it could make or break the chart performance of this overlooked gem.